Cuillin record runner Finlay Wild reveals artistic side with Kaleidoscape show

The runner's painting of Steall Watefall and An Gearanach. Image: Finlay Wild

He’s better known as the man who broke the three-hour record for running the whole Skye Cuillin ridge, but Finlay Wild has revealed an artistic side to his talents.

The Lochaber doctor’s bold landscape paintings have gone on show in a John Muir Trust exhibition.

The British hill- and fellrunning champion, who has won the Ben Nevis Race multiple times in a row, has for several years also devoted his energy to creating bold and innovative canvases of his favourite Scottish Mountains.

They are now on show at the mountain lover’s first solo exhibition, Kaleidoscape, at the trust’s Wild Space Gallery in Pitlochry.

Dr Wild said: “Having spent a lot of time in the mountains over the years, in all sorts of weather and light, I definitely have favourite places and views.

“I love coming back to these areas, time after time, and noticing the seasonal and daily changes which occur.

“Running in these places means I can travel light and fast, and I enjoy interacting as a moving element within the landscape.

“Painting these mountain areas just seemed to develop over a number of years. It was a good way to relax and also give my own interpretation of these places that I love.

Finlay Wild during his record-breaking Cuillin run in 2013. Photo: Roger Wild

“It gives me great satisfaction to try and depict a well known mountain view in a very different way. It’s even better when fellow hill-goers can work out where the painting is actually of.

“Of course these are not classic landscape paintings, but experimenting with block colours and bold lines has given me a lot of pleasure. My use of colour possibly gives an insight into the ‘mountains of my mind’ and how important these places are to me mentally as vivid, exciting, inspiring places.

“I’m delighted that the John Muir Trust is hosting Kaleidoscape; it’s my first exhibition and I will be interested to see how people react to my art. It has been a great way to reflect on what I have done so far, and helped to spark ideas for some new projects too.

“This is a new kind of challenge for me. It doesn’t involve pushing physically in a race or concentrating on an exposed scramble, but it’s been very rewarding.”

Kaleidoscape is on display at the John Muir Trust’s Alan Reece Wild Space Gallery in Pitlochry until 9 April. The gallery is closed on Tuesdays.